Wang Anshi has always been vigorous and resolute in his work. After obtaining the approval of Song Shenzong, he immediately announced the establishment of the City Taxation Bureau and appointed Lu Huiqing as the City Tax Commissioner, who was in charge of all taxes in the city.
From now on, citizens only need to go to the Municipal Taxation Bureau to pay taxes.
But this is Bian Jing, and all the people living here are powerful and wealthy.
This move immediately caused considerable controversy in the court.
They cursed Wang Anshi for being so unethical. Initially, he only wanted to target loan interest to stimulate housing transactions, but he also mixed in miscellaneous taxes, which would have been fine. But he never thought that there were other ulterior motives behind this.
It's so shameless.
Some ministers with ulterior motives intentionally or unintentionally linked Wang Anshi's actions to imperial power.
Because the fundamental purpose of the current system is to maintain imperial power and cut power into pieces so that no one can compete with the emperor.
On the contrary, concentration of power will pose a threat to imperial power.
However, not everyone opposed Wang Anshi. On the contrary, many ministers in the court chose to support Wang Anshi. Some of them really believed that this needed to be changed. This decree had to go through more than a dozen departments, and the result was no results. This was definitely a big problem.
For example, Privy Councilor Chen Shengzhi and Kaifeng Prefecture Governor Lu Gongzhu both openly supported Wang Anshi.
Another group of people did not have too many principles. They just saw that Wang Anshi was now deeply trusted by the emperor and was a popular figure in the emperor's eyes. In order to get promoted, they chose to support Wang Anshi.
But the key still lies in Song Shenzong. Song Shenzong really trusted the people he employed and would not employ them unless he doubted them. He gave Wang Anshi great support and completely ignored those rumors.
As for his old enemy Sima Guang, this time he also changed his usual behavior and not only did not oppose it, but also gave great support to Wang Anshi. However, due to face, he did not publicly support it, but he privately persuaded those officials who opposed it, explained the interests involved, and said that this policy was very reasonable.
Speaking of the matter, this is exactly Sima Guang's governing philosophy. His philosophy is to save money, one of which is to cut departments, reduce expenditures, and streamline the number of officials.
Seeing that all the elders supported Wang Anshi, the opposing ministers' voices became smaller and smaller. People like Wang Wenshan took advantage of the situation and pushed the blame onto Zhang Fei.
He absorbed a lot of hatred for Zhang Fei.
However, neither Wang Anshi nor Zhang Fei had the time to pay attention to these rumors.
The Municipal Taxation Bureau had just approved it and had not yet opened its doors, but Wang Anshi ordered Lu Huiqing to issue the first decree in the name of the Municipal Taxation Bureau, which was to promulgate Zhang Fei's contract in the form of a decree. At the same time, he granted the Ma family an official document, which could be said to have given the Ma family a monopoly position.
However, Ma Tianhao was already accustomed to the court's procrastination, and he had not expected it to happen so quickly this time. It was a month earlier than he expected, which made him very busy. The higher-ups were so supportive, which showed that they attached great importance to the matter, so how could he dare to delay
Early morning.
With a squeak.
As soon as the door was opened, a biting cold wind blew Zhang Fei back, and he shivered all over.
"damn it."
Zhang Fei said depressedly: "I was so busy that I forgot to buy winter clothes. I must be freezing to death. Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. I'm a young man. I can handle it."
He did some chest expansion exercises, gritted his teeth, opened the door, and saw Li Si running over. The key point was that this guy was wearing a cloak. He couldn't help but ask: "Li Si, where did you get the cloak?"
Li Si came to Zhang Fei and said, "It was given to me by Madam Xu. She also prepared one for you, Third Brother, saying it was left by her brother."
Then he handed over a thick cloak.
Zhang Fei was pleasantly surprised: "This woman is quite considerate. She knew I didn't buy winter clothes."
He didn't hesitate to put on his cloak and told Li Si, "Go buy some winter clothes later. It's really embarrassing to have to trouble Madam Xu to worry about such things."
"Oh, I remember that."
The two hurried to the Ma family in Qiao City.
Because today is the day when the Ma family pawnshop is open for business, and from today on, the mortgage loan will be officially implemented.
At the Ma’s Pawnshop, a sign with the words “mortgage” written on it slowly rose in front of the store. It was the only one of its kind in the entire Bian Jing.
"Master, congratulations! Congratulations!"
Zhang Fei, who had just arrived, bowed and congratulated Ma Tianhao.
"Don't rush to congratulate me yet. Whether it's happiness or sadness, we'll know today!"
Ma Tianhao waved his hand. Although he agreed with this business, he still needed to see if anyone would come to borrow money to buy a house. He then directed his hand to the two people next to him, "Come on, let me introduce you to someone."
He first pointed to the middle-aged man on the left with a big belly and ruddy face, "This is Mr. Fan from Baifan Building."
Zhang Fei bowed and said, "Junior greets Mr. Fan."
Fan Yong returned the greeting with a bow and said with a smile, "It is true that hearing about Zhang Sanlang is worse than meeting him in person."
Ma Tianhao then led the way to the tall, thin, middle-aged man with a goatee beside him. Just as he was about to speak, Zhang Fei first said to the man, "Mr. Chen, how is my house search going?"
This person was none other than the biggest landlord in the capital, Chen Maoqian.
Home loans are closely related to their houses and teeth!
Chen Maoqian said hurriedly: "We found several before, but I was not satisfied with them, so I asked them to look for more. But don't worry, Sanlang, it won't take long."
In fact, he had already found one, but then this incident happened. Chen Maoqian felt that he should be more cautious, so he asked his nephew to find a better one.
Ma Tianhao asked in surprise: "Do you know each other?"
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "I asked Mr. Chen to help me find a house. I can't always live in Xu's house! It was Mr. Chen who enlightened me about the interest."
Chen Maoqian said hurriedly, "How dare I, how dare I, I just answered a few trivial questions from Sanlang, but Sanlang is so talented and capable, I admire him deeply."
Although Zhang Fei expressed his attitude that day, he thought it was impossible. Unexpectedly, it was actually accomplished after just a few days.
Fan Yong said with a smile: "I have been doing business for more than 20 years, but I have never persuaded the court to issue a new decree specifically for my business. This is the first time since the founding of the Song Dynasty."
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "Mr. You are too modest. We are just in different industries. I am not a businessman. I am just an ear and pen person. What I do is different. I heard that Mr. took over Baifanlou and made drastic changes. Now Baifanlou is no longer just a restaurant. It makes a lot of money every day, which is beyond our reach."
"Where! Where!"
Fan Yong waved his hands embarrassedly.
But it was indeed Fan Yong who transformed the Baifan Building from a restaurant into a complex, which was definitely an extraordinary wisdom.
Zhang Fei didn't dare to underestimate them. They all looked kind, but in fact they were ruthless and could not bear the consequences.
Fan Yong asked again: "Zhang Sanlang, if... I mean if, I also ask you to help me sign a contract with the court, how would you help me draft it?"
Zhang Fei thought about it, and suddenly smiled and said, "Next time you go to Fanlou for dinner, you can't charge me for it."
"I will definitely not accept it." Fan Yong said quickly.
Zhang Fei said: "I would suggest that the court save financial expenditure, especially on the expansion of the imperial city."
Fan Yong was stunned for a moment and said, "What does this have to do with my business?"
Zhang Fei said: "For example, in the future, when entertaining foreign envoys, we can hold it in Baifan Tower. There is no need to build a special courtyard or send special people to serve. After all, it is only used a few times a year. This can save a lot of money."
Fan Yong made a muffled sound in his throat, "Really... can it really work?"
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "Of course not. You are just saying if, not really."
"That's right, that's right."
Fan Yong nodded awkwardly, and glanced at Chen Maoqian and Ma Tianhao awkwardly.
Chen Maoqian had no time to laugh at Fan Yong. He was thinking about having a good talk with Zhang Fei some other day.
Little did he know that Fan Yong thought the same way.
However, Ma Tianhao kept winking at Zhang Fei. Today's topic was not to discuss these things.
It's not easy to make a little money from you. Zhang Fei understood, coughed, and asked, "I heard that you two are also quite interested in this business."
Fan Yong and Chen Maoqian looked at each other.
Chen Maoqian said: "I am indeed interested, but the large amount and long duration make me suspicious."
Zhang Fei smiled and nodded, "That's what I should do."
"Why!"
Ma Tianhao said, "You are quite good at talking, aren't you? Help me convince them."
Zhang Fei said: "I don't think the two officials' vision is worse than yours, Mr. Ma."
Fan and Chen looked at each other again and burst into laughter.
Ma Tianhao gave Zhang Fei two approving glances.
Even if they don't invest directly, they will cooperate. There are no developers nowadays. The housing supply depends on Fangya and the auction depends on Baifanlou. As long as this business is prosperous, both parties will definitely make a profit.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have come so early.
Zhang Fei asked again: "Is there no one coming from Xiangguo Temple?"
Ma Tianhao laughed and said, "He came here yesterday. It's not appropriate for a monk like him to stand with so many businessmen like us."
After all, they are monks, so they still have to be cautious and not be too unscrupulous. For example, when it comes to nightlife, they usually choose takeout rather than door-to-door service.
Gradually, more and more people came to congratulate, from all walks of life, and almost all the wealthy businessmen in Bianliang came.
The interest, the length of time, and the imperial decrees all set records.
Everyone wants to see how this works.
Although the transaction has not been completed yet, the traffic is huge.
If successful, the Ma family's status will definitely be raised to a higher level.
However, Zhang Fei's popularity is obviously greater than Ma Tianhao. In fact, these wealthy businessmen all know that Zhang Fei has offended many people, but everyone also understands that more people in the court support Zhang Fei.
And judging from this incident, Zhang Fei is obviously the dominant party!
"If the shop needs to draft any contracts in the future, I'll have to ask Zhang Sanlang to do it."
"No way! No way! I'm so happy that you're taking care of my business!"
"But it's inconvenient for Sanlang to live in Xu's house!"
"Xu Shisi is impartial, but he can't stand us stinky businessmen."
"I will move out of the Xu Mansion soon. Everyone is welcome to visit us."
"Sure! Sure!"
"Sanlang, can you make money with such a low interest rate?"
"You will know when you buy a set."
"Hey, you think too highly of me. This is a house, I can't just buy it, but you can ask."
... ...
"Zhang San, come here for a moment."
Ma Tianhao suddenly came over, pulled Zhang Fei aside, and whispered, "The first guest has arrived. Guess who it is?"
Zhang Fei was surprised and asked, "Do I know him?"
Ma Tianhao thought about it, and seemed to have no idea whether Zhang Fei knew her or not, so he said directly: "It's Madam Wang."
"Which Madam Wang?" Zhang Fei asked in surprise.
Ma Tianhao said: "She is the wife of Grand Secretary Wang!"